Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD have comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many patients do not respond to medications for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
The most effective medications to treat core symptoms of ADHD seem to boost and balance levels of certain neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. Commonly prescribed stimulants include methylphenidate, amphetamine and other similar drugs.
Medicines
Many of the medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used on adults. However the dosages are different and the drugs may cause side effects that are not typical of children. treat adhd will take a look at the medical history, family health history, and other medical health conditions of the patient to determine which medicine is the best for them.
The most popular type of ADHD medication is stimulant and works by adjusting levels of two chemical messengers within the brain called norepinephrine and dopamine. The stimulants methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine (commonly known as Adderall) increase the amount of these neurotransmitters, which help improve focus and reduce aggression and impulsivity. They come in many forms like chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are more effective because they provide greater patient compliance and a longer lasting, smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression may influence the response to ADHD medications. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first, with medication be used as a second measure. The medications that are used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients might suffer from an "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms worsen after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances it is possible to try a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be helpful.
Some people are unable to tolerate stimulant medicines or are unable to take them due to addiction or other health conditions, like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these situations, non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications do not cause the same high rates of adverse effects as stimulants, and are less risk of abuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help those with ADHD to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or deal with problems at work or in relationships. It can also help with co-existing mental illnesses like depression and substance use disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These treatments are based on the notion that thoughts and beliefs influence how a person feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps individuals identify negative thoughts and behaviors and then formulate and implement strategies to alter these. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help someone concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person could be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Psychotherapy, along with medication, can assist with specific ADHD problems, such as difficulty completing schoolwork or getting along with others. It can also help with forgetting important dates and obligations and making decisions that are impulsive and result in legal and financial issues. It can also assist individuals to address and resolve issues that may cause ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can assist people in finding healthy coping techniques and reduce stress. For example exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also offer support to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD can have on their relationship. Marriage and family therapy can help couples and families communicate better and learn how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on changing the client's negative thinking patterns. It involves a dialog based on skill with an expert in mental health to address the root cause of symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to correct impairments and implement coping strategies that fit with the client's daily life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT show clients to recognize harmful thinking patterns and assist them to learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. The process can be long. It is an option for those who cannot receive enough relief from their medication.
A recent RCT study found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in reducing the core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke et al. 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for people who have more severe underlying issues.
The therapists that provide this type of treatment typically collaborate with the client to develop an action plan specific to addressing their problems. They usually teach them a set of practical skills that are simple to implement and have a good chance of success. Typically, a chart system is utilized to track progress and reward positive behavior. For children, this could involve a daily report which outlines the in-school tasks or positive behavior they must perform and an approach to tracking and earning rewards. The therapists may also consider creating negative consequences if the child fails to finish their tasks. This can be done in a very sensitive and supportive manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is an innovative type of psychotherapy that assists people change their mindset. This type of therapy can be beneficial to those who suffer from a variety mental health problems like depression. It's a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people recognize their negative thought patterns and how they affect their emotions. This type of therapy may also help them acquire psychological tools that are flexible and useful.
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To accomplish this, we compared self and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with the predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of Cognition, Debugging, Information Management and Evaluation). The results indicated that comprehensive knowledge was linked to daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD however, it was not associated with the processes that regulate. Metacognition predictors had a moderate predictive power, which suggests that they could explain a significant amount of variations in the daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention which focuses on reversing metacognitive beliefs that cause dysfunction and perpetuate states like worry, rumination, and attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorder. However, it is still an in-development treatment and further research is required to determine whether it can help with other disorders.
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MCT in reducing symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a range of disorders, and may be more effective than other treatments. It is important to keep in mind that this is not an effective treatment for ADHD, but it can be used as an alternative therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with the whole family. This allows all members to understand the client's problems and learn how to support their loved one better. It also helps them deal with their anger and develop better communication skills. This type of counseling can be utilized to treat other comorbidities, such as depression and substance abuse that are commonly associated as part of ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to gain a better understanding of the family's views and determine if they are suitable for family intervention. The session can be conducted in person or online. The Therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each individual and set out the do's and don'ts of family therapy.
A therapist with experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a variety of questions to gain insight into the client's current symptoms, their history and their impact on their work and family life as well as relationships. They will also inquire if there are any other mental health issues present like depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured that teaches you how to change your negative patterns of thinking and to manage your behavior. It concentrates on improving your self-esteem and self-control by teaching techniques to cope with stress and anger. This is a short-term option that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help people with ADHD overcome emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement, failure academic issues as well as frequent job changes and relationship conflict. It can help you learn ways to manage stress and cope and teach you how to manage your time and finances more effectively. It can also be used to address the comorbidities, like mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.